US links backing Pak UNSC seat bid to N Waziristan operation

According to well-placed diplomatic sources, after the latest refusal on part of Pakistan to the US demand of an army operation in North Waziristan, the Americans have conditioned their support for Pakistan for UNSC seat with operation in North Waziristan.Therefore, Pakistan’s diplomats lobbying for the non-permanent seat of the UNSC were facing difficulties in countering Indian propaganda against Pakistan. “We are faced with the question especially from the Americans that why Pakistan was reluctant to move decisively against the militants in North Waziristan,” the sources added quoting senior Pakistani diplomats in New York.The sources claimed that the US has gone on the same page with India over the common interest of influencing Pakistan’s internal strategies. That is why, they added, Obama followed Indian Premier Manmohan Singh in avoiding a meeting with Prime Minister Gailani on the sidelines of the UNGA. Thus in its latest move, the US conveyed to Pakistan it would have no choice but to oppose Pakistan’s candidature as India does unless Pakistan Army carries out an effective operation against militants across the board especially the ones in North Waziristan. Chief of Army Stafff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, reportedly, had told American Admiral Mike Mullen that to carry out an operation was the sovereign prerogative of the government of Pakistan. The sources also said that Pakistan’s permanent representative to UN Abdullah Hussain Haroon could not secure any achievement in his bid to win support of major countries for the temporary seat in most reputable forum of the world. No big country that matters except China has, so far, pledged support to Pakistan’s candidature.The sources further said that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, presently in New York representing Pakistan to the UNGA, would be meeting many of her counterparts to pave way for wining non -permanent seat in UNSC. According o the sources, India was doing effective lobbying against Pakistan by using its influence as the sitting non-permanent member as well as an aspirant of permanent seat in case of the proposed expansion of UNSC. The UN General Assembly in its 66th meeting would elect four countries as non-permanent members of Security Council ,which would be inducted to SC in place of Brazil, Gibbon, Niger and Lebanon. Earlier Pakistan remained non-permanent member for six times in the past and on the last occasion, the country held the position in 2003.